Waking up to nothing but the sound of cackling ducks and tweeting birds was the best way to start half term. After a leisurely breakfast, we managed to completely destroy the calm that the George’s had created in their caravan. Realising that children may “want” to come with you but actually that could cause more problems that it’s worth, we set of through the secret gate into the Chatsworth Estate.

The estate was definitely larger than we imagined with it’s own cricket pitch, ruined buildings and a building randomly in the middle of a ditch that appeared to have no purpose! It was great to have such easy access to such a sprawling property. As we drew closer, a pack of hounds ran across our path and we saw many horse boxes (of varying quality) with numerous horses and riders ready for a hunt; dressed from red jackets to country finest.  We watched for some time and, when the horn blared, we were right in the way of beagles heading straight for the largest tree for their obligatory wee! Our advice? Watch. From a distance.

Frisky horses and some pushy parents came later with toddlers bouncing around in the saddle. Oh how the other half live! Entertained, we made our way to the stable café for our first tea and cake of the holiday. All hail Chatsworth for the Gluten Free carrot cake – actually amazing. The farm shop did not disappoint, with pork pies, sausage rolls, cheese, chops and more. Apparently the sausage rolls are to die for.